Plain-English Perspectives on Money, Markets & Life
Practical reads on retirement, investing, insurance, taxes, and the financial questions our clients actually ask. No jargon, no fearmongering, just clear thinking on the topics that matter.
Latest from the SFS team
The most recent posts from our team. Click through for the full read, or browse by category below.
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Planning, preparing, and living well in retirement
Social Security timing, Medicare, required distributions, and the decisions that shape your income once the paychecks stop.
Required Minimum Distributions: What Florida Retirees Need to Know
When RMDs start, how they're calculated, and what a missed one costs.
Deciding When to Take Social Security
Understand the ins and outs of Social Security benefits and how to maximize your retirement income.
Navigating Medicare Decisions
Essential financial planning tips for retirees facing Medicare's enrollment maze.
Understanding the Social Security Fairness Act
The impact of the new legislation on public-sector workers and the benefits now available.
Planning Your Retirement Budget: Making Your Savings Go the Distance
Secure your future with effective financial planning for retirement, including budgeting strategies.
Estate Planning: What You Need To Know
The essentials of estate planning and what every retiree should consider for beneficiaries.
Building a Financial Legacy: A Roadmap for Long-Term Wealth Planning
The principles that create lasting stability: budgeting, savings, and intelligent investing.
Downsizing Your Home: Simplifying Your Life Before Retirement
The benefits of downsizing your home before retirement, and what to think through first.
Getting the most from your 401(k), 403(b), and IRA
Contribution limits, catch-up rules, and how each account fits into the plan.
Contribution Limits for 2026: 401(k)s, IRAs & Catch-Up Contributions
The 2026 contribution limits and how they fit into your retirement plan.
The Importance of Catch-Up Contributions
Boost your retirement savings as you approach retirement age. How catch-up contributions help bridge the gap.
Optimizing Your 401(k): How to Get the Most Out of Your Account
Effective strategies for 401(k) optimization and securing your financial future.
How to Maximize the Value of Your 403(b) Account
Maximize your retirement savings with a 403(b) account. Written for educators and nonprofit employees.
Introduction to Retirement Accounts: 401(k)s & IRAs Explained
A clear walkthrough of the main retirement vehicles and how each one fits in.
Build a portfolio that fits your goals, not the headlines
Asset allocation, diversification, market conditions, and the timeless principles that have built wealth over decades.
Understanding Diversification & Building a Resilient Portfolio
How to build a strong investment portfolio through diversification, minimizing risk while maximizing returns.
Asset Allocation: The Leading Asset Classes to Consider
How asset classes impact your investment strategy, and how to allocate for growth and risk management.
Diversifying Your Portfolio With International Investments
The benefits of international exposure for diversification and how to think about global allocation.
How Lower Interest Rates Will Affect Investments
The economy, the Federal Reserve, and what changing interest rates mean for your portfolio.
How Tariffs Would Affect Consumers
Understanding tariffs, consumer prices, and product availability, plus the financial implications.
The fastest way to clarity is usually a conversation
Reading is a great place to start. But when you have a specific question, sitting down with an advisor is usually quicker, and almost always more useful, than another deep-dive article.